Probiotic therapy in radiation-induced intestinal injury and repair

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 May:1165:190-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04029.x.

Abstract

Intestinal injury from ionizing radiation is a clinically important entity, as enteritis symptoms occur commonly after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Preventative or therapeutic options for radiation enteritis are mostly unsatisfactory; however, available data suggests that probiotic bacteria--those which confer health benefit--may have therapeutic value. Previous reports from both human trials and animal models have evaluated various end points for probiotic usage in limiting radiation-associated intestinal damage. Newer data suggests that particular probiotics and/or their secreted or derived bacterial products may have unique radioprotective properties. We will review the area with a focus on new developments surrounding probiotic therapy in radiation-induced intestinal injury and repair.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enteritis / microbiology
  • Enteritis / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / radiation effects*
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus / metabolism
  • Probiotics / pharmacology*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use
  • Radiation Injuries / therapy*